Stern Drive Maneuvering; Fenders - Regal LS4 Owner's Manual

Sometimes the mooring line will lead down sharply
from the piling to the deck cleat. Loop the eye splice
around the piling twice to keep it from being pulled
up off the pile.
Pull the line through the looped eye if the mooring
line is too small to go around the piling twice or too
small to fi t over once.
If you must drop a line over a piling that already
holds another boat's line, run the eye of the line up
through the fi rst eye from below, then loop it over the
pile. This will allow either line to be removed without
disturbing the other. If another line is dropped over
yours, simply reverse the process. Secure a little
slack in the other dock line, then slip your eye up
through its loop and over the top of the pile. Your
line can be dropped through the other eye.
When debarking from a dock, it is easier to release
the line from a cleat or piling, from on board the
boat, as soon as you leave the dock. Loop a long line
around the cleat or pier and leading both ends on
board you can release the line easily. Slip one end
around the cleat or pile, the pull it back on board.
Release the line without the eye splice, so it will
run freely from around the pile without hanging up
on the splice.

Fenders

Fenders are normally made of a rubberized plastic
and are usually fi lled with air. Most have a fi tting
like a basketball so they can be infl ated or defl ated.
Fenders are available in a wide range of sizes and
shapes to fi t both small and large vessels. Fenders
are normally designated in inches. They are used
between piers, docks, sea walls and the boat.
They protect the top sides of the boat from rubbing
against rough objects. Most fenders have eyes
of attachment which allow a line to be inserted
vertically or horizontally. This will permit the fender
to be tied off to fi t a variety of marina, dock and
tidal situations. Be sure the fender is correct for the
vessel size. It is a good idea to carry extra fenders
but half a dozen is normally an acceptable number.
Remember to store fenders on board so they can
be easily accessed. Some people incorrectly call
fenders "bumpers".
Note that optional fender clips are available for your
vessel.
There is a variety of fender styles
and types, each selected for
specified uses. When choosing
fenders, contact a marine dealer
or supply house. Explain how you
moor and use your vessel so they
can recommend the best fender
type for you. We suggest the type with a fi ll plug
so you can infl ate them with a hand pump like the
ones used for bicycles.

Stern Drive Maneuvering

Directing propeller energy (thrust) makes slower
speed maneuvering easier. The propeller discharge
current is turned from one side to the other which
results in turning forces. Rudder boats need water
to fl ow by the rudder to be effi cient. Stern drive units
are designed to have reduced shaft angle, so the
propeller does not produce as much unequal blade
thrust and resistance. Large horsepower boats do
produce more thrust and steering torque but your
vessel has the advantage of a"fl y by wire" steering.
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